New Commercial Vans

Chrysler is working on Fiat-based commercial vans which will be built in summer 2013. Chrysler’s Ram group will be using the Fiat Ducato design to create their own variation on the commercial van. The Ducato variant will be an improvement on their Ram Cargo Van. Ram will keep the European look of the original van to cut down on price and development time. The modifications will be concentrated under the skin. These modifications will americanise the workings of the vehicle.

The Ducato has a front mounted engine, front wheel drive, strut front suspension and a solid beam axle suspended by leaf springs at the rear. Air suspension is optional in most cases. It also has a four-cylinder diesel and six speed manual transmission. It comes in different models including the cargo van, passenger van, chassis cab and crew cab. These are available in Mexico. In the US the Ducato will be Ram’s version of the Ford transit and Transit Connect courier vans.

Chrysler is investing in Mexico due to the fair trade agreements. The Vans will be built in Mexico. This will mean that Chrysler will avoid the high tariffs that it would have encountered had they built the vans in America or the UK.

Chrysler will also be building a Ram version of the Fiat Doblo and Iveco Daily. It hopes that these vehicles will be competitive in the commercial van, ambulance and recreational vehicle markets.

Chrysler has trademarked the names Ram Promaster and Ram Promaster City for their new vans.